Five up, five down in Ravens' 25-20 loss to the 49ers

UP: Wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.

Kenneth K. Lam

There’s no telling how much pain he was in, or how limited the fractured bones in his back made him, but Smith solidified himself as the centerpiece of this Ravens offense. As he goes, so goes pretty much everything else. Joe Flacco constantly tries to find him in the end zone, as he’s a rare Ravens receiver who can get separation and find space where it doesn’t exist. It’s dangerous for them to be so reliant on him — we saw that when he went out earlier this month — but what else can they do?

There’s no telling how much pain he was in, or how limited the fractured bones in his back made him, but Smith solidified himself as the centerpiece of this Ravens offense. As he goes, so goes pretty much everything else. Joe Flacco constantly tries to find him in the end zone, as he’s a rare Ravens receiver who can get separation and find space where it doesn’t exist. It’s dangerous for them to be so reliant on him — we saw that when he went out earlier this month — but what else can they do?

Koch probably deserved to bask in the glow of this space last week, but I’m rectifying that today. His 62-yard boomer in the first quarter was one of two times Sunday when he reversed field position and pinned San Francisco deep in their own territory. Sunday’s games ended with Koch ranked third in the NFL in a a gross average of 49 yards per punt, and a net of 44.3. If you think this is just grasping at straws because this team is 1-5, think again. Sam Koch has been outstanding this year.

Koch probably deserved to bask in the glow of this space last week, but I’m rectifying that today. His 62-yard boomer in the first quarter was one of two times Sunday when he reversed field position and pinned San Francisco deep in their own territory. Sunday’s games ended with Koch ranked third in the NFL in a a gross average of 49 yards per punt, and a net of 44.3. If you think this is just grasping at straws because this team is 1-5, think again. Sam Koch has been outstanding this year.

The logical structure of this weekly feature — to highlight five Ravens playing well before getting to five who can’t say the same — serves it well as the team slumps further and further away from the playoffs with a 25-20 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Before we get to the sad part of pointing out the players whose flawed performances are at fault for the loss, a group of players who deserve praise amid this crumbling season gets credit they deserve. I know you might be reading for the negative at this point, but give the good ones their due.